Cot Death - Information, Reducing Risk of Sudden Infant Death

Cot death which is also called SIDS, which stands for sudden infant death syndrome. It is not an illness.

It is estimated that about 300 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in the UK on an annual basis. Indeed cot death can happen to any particular baby. However some babies are more at risk. These are babies between one and four months, premature babies, low birthweight babies and boys are more at risk than others.

The statistics show that babies who die from cot death appear to die painlessly in their sleep. This invariablyoccurs when the baby is asleep in his or her cot at night and usually between midnight and 9am, but it can also happen during any other period of sleep such as when the baby is in the pram or even in a carer's arms.

Having a baby is an amazing experience and raising a child can be very rewarding. However if you are a first time parent it can be a little bewildering, like entering a whole new world full of confusing choices and fancy gadgets (do I really need one of these?)